Check this game out! The Nigerian Champion sent in this slashing win. There was a book I once studied called “Sacrifices in the Sicilian” and they had an entire chapter on the Nd5 sacrifice… Bxe6, Bxb5, Nxe6, Nxb5 themes. I’ve added a few comments. Chikwere Onyekwere scored 5½-3½ to win a share of the under-2300 prize.

By the way, Hess got an GM norm. I’ve watched him from a distance for years and always knew he’d be a strong player. I played him back in 2002 when he was barely a teen (about 1800 at the time). I did crush him after he blundered, but I knew he was a great talent… very focused.

I enjoy playing up and coming players. I remember meeting and playing FM Kazim Gulamali when he was seven years old. I always told him he would be at least Senior Master. Now he’s about 19 or so with around a 2400 rating and a blitz demon. He tied with GM Mark Paragua for 1st in the Foxwoods Blitz tournament on 9-1.

I also remember seeing Paragua as a 16-year old playing blitz… extremely quick and a brutal calculator. I actually interviewed him at last year’s World Open and posted a seven-move combination against IM Jay Bonin. Here it is again:

After Bonin’s 1.Rc1-c4, Paragua took a few moments and then started a seven move mating sequence starting with 1…Bh2+!! On 2.Qxh2, the young Filipino Grandmaster played the following moves instantly 2…Qb1+ 3.Kf2 Ne4+! 4.Kxf3 Qf1+ 5.Kg4 h5+ 6.Kxh5 Qf3+ 7.Bg4 Qf7#

thumps up !! you’re doing just fine,this particular game reminded me of my game with IM Fola Akintola(Nigeria) in 1998, made a similar sacrifice n tactics, though more complicated than yours ! takes some nerves,i must commend your effort,you cannot afford to relent now,the sky is no longer your limit,make the best out of your tournament performance in the states and very soon i see you getting a title.